Short answer: You need a subscription that includes voice cloning. Buying API credits/tokens alone does not unlock cloning.
Instant Voice Cloning is available on Starter and above. Professional Voice Cloning is available on Creator and above. (help.elevenlabs.io)
API access exists on all plans (including Free), but Free does not include cloning features. (help.elevenlabs.io)
Extra API credits (“usage-based billing”) can only be added on Creator and higher; they are an overage on top of your subscription, not a standalone alternative. (help.elevenlabs.io)
Current API pricing pages also show cloning features tied to plan tiers (Starter: Instant VC; Creator+: Professional VC). (elevenlabs.io)
If you want cloning via API, choose at least Starter (Instant VC) or Creator (PVC). Add usage-based credits later only if you’re on Creator or higher. (elevenlabs.io)
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